JP's Natural Pet Supplements Blog Posts

The Festive period is upon us again and what an amazing time of year to be with your family and your dog who is obviously part of your family. Just like bonfire night, it is a good idea to start planning now for your dog, for example your dog may be nervous when visitors arrive and go over their threshold. 

Research has shown how the gut and brain are connected and it is referred to as the gut brain axis. What happens in the gut has been shown to have a positive or negative effect in the brain of dogs and people. A healthy functioning gut microbiome has many beneficial effects not only in the gut but also in the brain. The complex community of bacteria and other microorganisms in the gut is called the microbiome.

When deciding to buy a puppy, think about your lifestyle. What breed of dog are you looking for that suits your lifestyle e.g., your home environment, space, and work commitments? Do you like lots of holidays throughout the year? Are you a lazy person? If you are a lazy person, then for example a Malinois dog will not suit you! 

Teaching your puppy or dog to respond to the whistle.

For the safety of your dog, other dogs, and people, recall is one of the most important exercises that you can teach your puppy or dog. At no point should you let your Westie off the lead until you have mastered this exercise. Teaching your dog to respond to the whistle has several advantages. A whistle lacks emotion, and it is consistent, unlike a person’s voice. Some owners will panic or get angry when they are attempting to recall their dog.

Idiopathic Canine Shaker Syndrome (ICSS) is a condition involving generalized head and body tremors in dogs. Idiopathic means that the exact cause is unknown, and this disease disproportionately affects small white dogs such as West Highland White Terriers. The cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that controls coordination, and the regulation of voluntary muscular movement becomes inflamed, this is called cerebellitis. 

Many behavioural problems have a component of fear, anxiety, or excessive arousal so, that retraining cannot begin until they are in a calm and relaxed state, so that benefits can be achieved on cue. Training should focus on both the behavioural responses (sit, down and walk stay on your mat) as well as the emotional state (calm and relaxed).

Some dog owners believe that letting their puppy play with as many dogs as possible at a youthful age will make their puppy more sociable and friendly to people and other dogs. Letting them play with dogs you do not know in the park can be so damaging long term, especially if owners cannot read their own dogs body language. Your puppy can end up being bullied and chased by other dogs and this can end up having a negative effect on your puppy in the future

The aim of Boswellia Serrata in the Joint Support formulations is to act as a natural anti-inflammatory. A systematic review published in 2008 in the British Medical Journal, concluded that ‘the evidence for effectiveness of Boswellia is encouraging’ and ‘warrants further investigation’. A review of the anti-inflammatory properties of a range of food supplements showed Boswellia performed well in the control of pain and inflammatory conditions. A number of studies have confirmed the safety of Boswellia. 

Holistic Doggie Fibre supplement for dogs supports normal digestion. It contains soluble and insoluble fibre, probiotics, prebiotics, and bentonite clay. Providing enough fibre in a pet’s diet helps support normal digestive function, balance levels of water in the intestines and firms’ up faecal matter. Adequate fibre can also reduce the need for anal gland emptying as it increases natural expression.

Your digestive tract is not just for digesting and absorbing nutrients, it is also involved in immune function since approximately 70% of the immune system resides in the gut. Good gut health can also affect brain health. New research shows that there is a gut-brain connection and the gut has been dubbed the second brain. Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in the body and support brain function. 

Separation anxiety in dogs is a very debilitating problem for dogs and it is  extremely upsetting for their owners. Here dog behaviourist from JP Holistic Nutrition, Justine Shone explains it causes and treatment.